Rodgers hails 'educated' Swansea and Liverpool supporters
BRENDAN Rodgers has described Swansea City and Liverpool as "two class acts" after quitting the Liberty to take over at Anfield.
And Rodgers has set himself the target of leading Liverpool back towards the top end of the Premier League over the next couple of seasons.
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Rodgers will today be unveiled as the new Reds boss after agreeing a three-year deal on Merseyside.
And he believes that given time and cash to invest in the playing squad, he can steer the five-time European Cup winners forward.
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"The challenge for me at Liverpool, as it was when I came to Swansea, is to prove myself to the people both on and off the field," Rodgers said. "I will do what I have always done, which is to be committed to improving the club. The club's success will be the most important thing and we'll see where we are in the next few years."
As Liverpool manager, Rodgers will have transfer funds at his disposal that he could only have dreamt of at Swansea.
He insisted that Liverpool's owners scrapped the idea of appointing a director of football before agreeing to succeed Kenny Dalglish (below), so the responsibility for signing new players will lie with him.
"The challenge is to keep improving the group," Rodgers added.
"It's about getting into the real world. It's a group that I think in a couple of years can be competitive at the top end, but I will need to spend a little bit of money and I will need time to work. I will need time to bring my identity into the team — I need time to impose my philosophy on the group.
"There are some wonderful players at Liverpool, but to bring all that into the team is going to take a wee bit of time.
"It's a job where I need to align the playing identity and style and success with the supporters, because the supporters at Liverpool are renowned."
Rodgers has not forgotten how his side were applauded by the natives after Swansea's impressive goalless draw at Anfield last November.
He added: "I said before that I liken the Liverpool supporters to the Swansea supporters because of their education in the game, and I said that long before any of this came about. That's a massive part of the draw for me. The two clubs are very similar in that they are both class acts.
"The supporters at both clubs are brilliant. They are very passionate about their clubs, they love their cities and they are very educated in football terms.
"I believe there's a similar feel going into Liverpool as there was when I came into Swansea."
Comments
by KP287
Sunday, June 03 2012, 9:58PM
“I don`t think the Liverpool supporters will be as patient and understanding as us, they will expect to beat every team and always be pushing for goals. BR`s philosophy was to build and if nothing was on, back to the keeper and build again. I cannot see the Liverpool supporters accepting this week in week out like we did. Also we played appalingly badly a number of times when teams pressed us. If he is given time, then maybe yes he can guide Liverpool to greater things, but to manage highly paid players with big egos` and get results quickly will be difficult. It could last three years or it could last 6 months.
For us, I wouldn`t like to see Ian Holloway or Graeme Jones as manager. I would prefer Poyet or Laudrup or even Benitez, we are in the PL now so someone like Eddie Howe, Karl Robinson or Lee Clarke would be too much of a risk. Our current squad needs strengthening and will need a manager to respect very quickly, the right manager would attract good players and command the respect from our squad. HJs` management punts were fine in League 1 and Championship, only my opinion.”
by taffyjack
Friday, June 01 2012, 6:03PM
“Phil - never said he wasnt good, I said he inherited our style and created nothing. We will miss him no doubt but hey he is not going to impose anything on Liverpool. I do wish him all the best though and thank him for what he achieved with us.”
by hacker_jack
Friday, June 01 2012, 10:39AM
“*****, he never said he imposed anything on us, what he said is he needs time to impose it on Liverpool.
He didn't just inherit it though, he was brought in as he complimented our existing style, he took it and tweaked it to make us better.
Now he has the challenge to try and take that to another club who at one time used to share the same ethos but has faded over the years.”
by Philosoraptor
Friday, June 01 2012, 8:34AM
“Sounds like sour grapes *****jack, I bet you were saying he was best young manager two weeks ago. Don't deny it, no Jack was saying he was average.”
by taffyjack
Thursday, May 31 2012, 7:30PM
“Brendan - you didnt impose any style into Swansea mate - you inherited it. Thank you for taking us to the premiership but we all know it wasnt you but the team and style you inherited. all the best with Liverpool but I honestly believe you will flop and be found out.”